First Lady Professor Gertrude Mutharika is expected to engage more than 400 students from various institutions in the Southern and Eastern regions this Friday in a dialogue focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and issues affecting young people.
The engagement, scheduled to take place at Nkopola in Mangochi, will be conducted under the banner of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), as part of efforts to amplify conversations around the health, rights and well-being of young people.
The dialogue is expected to provide students with an opportunity to openly share their experiences and perspectives on SRHR-related challenges, including issues that affect them in educational institutions, at home and within their communities.
Professor Mutharika is also expected to listen to testimonies from young people and engage them on some of the barriers they encounter in accessing accurate health information, appropriate services and support.
The participating students are expected to come from Mubarak Complex College, the University of Malawi, DMI-St. John the Baptist University, Domasi College of Education and Malawi College of Health Sciences.
The engagement comes at a time when meaningful youth participation is increasingly recognised as essential in addressing challenges affecting young people’s health, education and future opportunities.
By creating a platform where students can speak directly about their experiences and concerns, the engagement is expected to strengthen dialogue between young people and leaders while promoting informed decision-making and greater awareness of SRHR issues.
The initiative is also expected to reinforce the importance of ensuring that young people have access to reliable information and supportive environments that enable them to make informed choices concerning their health and well-being.
The Mangochi engagement will therefore provide an important platform for listening to young people, understanding the challenges they face and identifying practical ways of supporting their health, dignity and future.
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